Store-service apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

O. AqWHIPPLE. STORHSERVIUE APPARATUS.

Patented June 11 1 88.9.

* UNITED STATES Y PATE T FFICE.

CHARLES A. WHIPPLE, oF GALESBURG, ILLINOIS.

STORE-SERVICE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 404,882, dated June 11, 1889.

Application filed July 20, 1888. Serial No. 280,558. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLEsA. WHIPPLE, residing at Galesburg, in the county of Knox and State of Illinois, and a citizen of the United States, have invented new and useful Improvements in Store-Service Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which holding, and releasing the carrier.

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing one track of my apparatus with the carrier and operating devices. Fig. 2 is a detail, being a side elevation of the device for receiving, Fig. 3 is a detaiLJbeing a top or plan view of the above device and a section of partof the carrier held thereby. Fig. 4 is adetail, being an end view of the track supporting and inclining device. Fig. 5 is a detail, being a vertical section through the carrier. Fig. 6 is a detail, being an under side view of the cash-receptacle with the cap removed. Figs. 2, 3, 4c, 5, and 6 are enlarged as compared with Fig. 1.

This invention relates to that class of storeservice apparatus in which a track extends from the cashiers desk to one or more of the several salesmens counters, anda'suspended carrier travels by gravity and spring force on the track. a

The objects of my invention are toimprove the means for inclining the track; toimprove the means for receiving, holding, and releasing the carrier at the termini of the track,

I and to improve the device for carrying cash,

which I accomplish, as illustrated in the drawings, and hereinafter described.

In the drawings, A represents the ceiling of a store.

B B are two bifurcated brackets secured to the ceiling Aone B at the cashiers desk,

and the other B at the salesmans counter tion is reversed by swinging the straightarms C O. buckle a to tighten it and the track D.

F F are the frames of the device for receiving, holding, and releasing the carrier. The frames F F are each, as shown inFigs. 2 and 3, pivoted on a pin 1) in the lower ends of the swinging arms 0 0, respectively, and each at its front end is provided with a pointed projecting stem c. passes through an upward projection (l on each of the frames F F, and is securedto the pivots b. Y

e is a pawl which is pivoted in the stem 0, near the end of the stem, and projects through the case of thestem. I

f is a rod which extends through the frame F, and is pivoted at its forward end to the pawl c, and at its rear end to an elbow-lever g, pivotally mounted in the'fraine F.

h is a coil-spring on the rod f, which spring presses the pawl c outward. 4

G G are stops secured to the brackets B B, respectively. 1

H H are catches secured to the upper ends of the swinging arms 0 (IQ-respectively, and adapted to engage with the stops G G and hold the arms in the positionsshown in Fig. 1.

I I are ropes attached to the spring-catches, H H, respectively, by which the catches-are released from the stops and the position of the arms 0 C changed.

J is the frame of the carrier. This frame J is suspended on wheels 1', which run on the track D. The interior of the frame J is in form and size adapted to receive the stem 0 at either end, and is provided with teeth j, with which the pawls 6 can engage.

K is a coil-spring in the carrier J, which presses against two blocks It It at opposite ends of the carrier. The blocks 7.: 1c are each adapted to receive one of the pointed stems c. When the stem 0 of the frame F is in engagement with the block 76, the block it presses against the frame J at the opposite end, compressing the spring-K between the blocks in k.

L is a plate secured to the under side of the carrier J.

M is a ring, which has a beveled or inclined interior face, and is suspended below the plate L by suitable rods Z.

N is a cup or receptacle for cash, adapted The track-wire D to pass through the ring M to bring its upper edge in contact with the plate L.

m is a flange made with or secured to the lower edge of the cup N, which flange forms a chamber for the holdingcatches of the cup N.

O are catches which project through holes in the flange m and are pressed outward by springs 0.

P is a plate secured to the bottom of the cup N, on which plate the springs 0 are secured.

p is a circular boss on the plate P, which boss is provided with holes a to receive and guide the inner ends of the catches 0.

q is a rod or pin secured to the boss 1).

Q is a conical stem which slides vertically on the pin q.

R are bell-crank levers pivotally mounted in brackets 9', secured to the plate P. One arm of each lever B is suitably attached to one of the catches O, and the end of the other arm is forced against the conical stem Q by one of the springs 0.

S is the handle attached to the stem Q.

T is a cap which covers the chamber formed by the flange m.

The operation is as follows: The carrier J (see Fig. 1) travels from the salesmans counter to the cashiers desk on the track D. Vhen the carrier arrives at the desk, the

stem 0 of the frame F enters the end of the frame J of the carrier and engages with the block 7t, compressing the spring K, which makes a yielding stop for the carrier. The pawl c in the stem 0 engages with the teeth j, preventing the retraction of the carrier. \Vhen it is desired to return the carrier, the cashier pulls downward on the rope I, withdrawing the catch H from the stop G and swinging the arm 0 to a nearly-horizontal p0 sition and the arm 0 to a vertical position, thereby reversing the inclination of the track D. The catch II and stop G hold the arm C in its vertical position. When the arm 0 assumes its horizontal position, its end rocks the elbow-lever g and withdraws the pawl c from the teeth j, permitting the spring K to force the carrier-frame J 0% from the stem 0, and causing the carrier to descend the inclined track D to the salesmans counter, where it is received, held, and released by the frame F, as at the cashiers desk, as already described. The carrier thus travels in either direction by gravity and spring force. The cash is to be placed in the cup N and the cup is then to be passed through the ring M until it comes in contact with the plate L, when the catches 0 will spring out above the upper edge of the ring M and hold the cup against retraction. hen it is desired to withdraw the cup N, the operator pulls downward on the handle S, which draws the conical stem Q downward and retracts the catches 0 through the bellcrank levers R, permitting the cup N to be withdrawn through the ring M. p

The carrier J is shown in connection with a cash-cu p only; but it is evident that a parcelcarrier can be used instead of the caslrcup.

That I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The brackets B B, swinging arms 0 0, track D, and wire E, incombination with stops G G, catches H II, and ropes I I, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The frame F, having a pointed stem c and a pawl c, in combination with a carrierframe J, having teeth j and spring K, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. The toothed carrier-frameJ and the frame F, having a stem 0, a pawl. 6, rod f, and an e1- bow-lever g, in combination with a swinging arm C, adapted to engage with thelever g, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. The carrier-frame J and beveled ring M, supported therefrom,in combination with the cup N, spring-catches O, bell-crank levers R, conical stem Q, and handle S, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7 CHARLES A. \VHIPPLE. \Yitnesses:

ELLA SWIcK, R. C. HUNT. 

